rushmore
Extreme Android User
It is apparently not a real GPS improvement, but simply auto turning on the wifi, when you activate GPS. No radio tweaks (if that would even help). This is per an Engadget link.
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Help GPS issue solved bad news
- Thread starter jdbaker82
- Start date
It is apparently not a real GPS improvement, but simply auto turning on the wifi, when you activate GPS. No radio tweaks (if that would even help). This is per an Engadget link.
golfernut78
Well-Known Member
i've installed today's updates. i can finally see satellites!!! using gps test and gps satellite the past couple of days, i could not look on to a satellite. if i had the wifi on, it would locate me on google maps.
after update, i can see 10-12 satellites. signal strength isn't great at the house - but when i had directtv, i always had signal strength problems that they could never figure out. while try again tomorrow at the office to see if it works there.
as for wifi - i had not seen any wifi issues to begin with, so can't say. signal was weak at the office, but it was weak for my phone too. at the house, i've had the tablet no more than 50' from the router. will see if there is any improvement tomorrow at the office.
some very good reading, thanks guys
Im still going to buy this device and in Australia ive been told....sorry, heard on the grape vine that it will be shipped with ICS and as Newtech mentioned it could possibly be a software issue which im sure will be rectified in the new firmware.
With them removing GPS from the specification list, I seriously doubt it is a software issue. If there were a chance this could be fixed via software they would not have made this move. The only reason to make this move is becaue the issue is caused by design.
rushmore
Extreme Android User
The funny thing is some people assume (not saying this thread) their GPS is working great when maps shows a location, but wifi vectors a general location (not a specfic one). This creates false reports of "great" wifi.
Then again, if a person assumes GPS is working fine in those cases, they are not really using their GPS for much anyway. Ignorance is bliss and same for phones too.
flyjbaker
Android Expert
I know we dog on Apple but if you will notice, NONE of their wifi only iPads have GPS. Why you ask??? It is because they do not feel they can offer a decent product(GPS signal) without the assistance of a cell network. It is also the reason your phone works well as a GPS device(unless you have a POS Samsung). The reason why the competing Android tabs get away with decent GPS signal in their wifi only tabs is because they have a plastic backing material. It is as simple as that. I was really hoping that with combination of the super bright screen on this thing I was gonna be able to use it as a 10 inch chartplotter on my boat. Hopefully maybe I still can since it would be under canvas only with no overhead steel(except frame). Anyway, I will take the plunge and buy it regardless....
And regardless of JD's negative ranting, he was dead on on this one....jus sayin'!!!...no relation BTW!...
And regardless of JD's negative ranting, he was dead on on this one....jus sayin'!!!...no relation BTW!...
I wish you would do a how to video on taking one apart. I would like to try modifying the shell on the unit Im keeping so that GPS works. Were you able to get it back together and it stay together without any issues ?
Lock-N-Load
Android Expert
I am one of the few that thinks this is not all the metal back people think it is and Asus claims it is.
1. I see to many odd satellite changes, with no change in location of the tablet or movement of it, in simply interacting with the tablet by say pushing the buttons or changing apps. A simple touch of a capacitive button can make all 8-9-10 satellites just drop off the display and get reacquired. That is NOT metal back related as for hours they display there on screen and then changing apps or touching a button and pooof... gone only to come back. That is software
2. Once root is done a dev, OR anyone with the right knowledge, can go in and properly code and clean up and add to the prop files and other related files that give the GPS crucial information on how to act. It has been clearly pointed out on XDA some of these are not properly written or incomplete. But people just roll right over that and focus on the metal back.
3. Given the other huge change about this tablet from any other is the Tegra 3 chip, again, once root is attained and a more savvy dev is able to get in a poke around, there very well might be a chance that the GPS is not using the cores properly and thus, we get sporadic results given how the Tegra 3 chip and it's companion core delegate workload. Another interesting possibility people just roll over and focus on the metal back as it has been repeated over and over and over as the cause.
IMHO
1. I see to many odd satellite changes, with no change in location of the tablet or movement of it, in simply interacting with the tablet by say pushing the buttons or changing apps. A simple touch of a capacitive button can make all 8-9-10 satellites just drop off the display and get reacquired. That is NOT metal back related as for hours they display there on screen and then changing apps or touching a button and pooof... gone only to come back. That is software
2. Once root is done a dev, OR anyone with the right knowledge, can go in and properly code and clean up and add to the prop files and other related files that give the GPS crucial information on how to act. It has been clearly pointed out on XDA some of these are not properly written or incomplete. But people just roll right over that and focus on the metal back.
3. Given the other huge change about this tablet from any other is the Tegra 3 chip, again, once root is attained and a more savvy dev is able to get in a poke around, there very well might be a chance that the GPS is not using the cores properly and thus, we get sporadic results given how the Tegra 3 chip and it's companion core delegate workload. Another interesting possibility people just roll over and focus on the metal back as it has been repeated over and over and over as the cause.
IMHO
I am like you, I don't pick up any satellites. Got my TP on 12/29.
atrain311
Android Expert
Have you spoken to customer support? I only ask because you've had it for a few days now. Thanks.
rushmore
Extreme Android User
I still suggest that some people who think they are getting a GPS lock are simply looking at maps and the general estimated location that wifi vectors and not noticing the difference.
This is also a common mistake by phone users that have weak wifi (Droid Incredible is an example).
Not saying all users are doing this (of course), but some seem to be.
sleightofhand
Newbie
Yeah not working to well on mine either. That said I use a Bluetooth GPS receiver with my ipad and it's very precise so I will just use it with my transformer. To me maybe throwing us a coupon or discount on a receiver for people who bought one when GPS listed would be a act of good will and satisfy me.
Ramzes13
Android Enthusiast
once i get mine in tomorrow, i will load navigon on it, turn off wifi and google location features, and take video of its performance during my hour long commute to work on Friday. I carpool so i will have someone to do this for me. I will also get video of my evo 3d running navigon with all data services off (just gps) in order to compare straight gps antenna performance. once have everything uploaded, i will link to it.
Im not trying to prove anyone wrong or right, i just want to see for myself and share with this community.
regardless of outcome i will be keeping my prime, i even have an autobot decal for it.
Im not trying to prove anyone wrong or right, i just want to see for myself and share with this community.
regardless of outcome i will be keeping my prime
, i even have an autobot decal for it.
Lock-N-Load
Android Expert
As for my #2 above, some guys - after my post here and there - who got root experimented with #2 and got improvements
Our GPS.config file is incomplete and poorly written. I am going to try mine from my Droid that is more complete and correctly written for north america and see if it changes my results as Ijst got root 5 minutes ago
Our GPS.config file is incomplete and poorly written. I am going to try mine from my Droid that is more complete and correctly written for north america and see if it changes my results as Ijst got root 5 minutes ago
rushmore
Extreme Android User
Anandtech just posted in detail why the GPS will not get better and Asus went further in explaining the same thing. This is why they removed it from the features of the Prime. Seems no longer an item of speculation.
The wifi is also confirmed to be an issue, but not the same bad level as the GPS.
The wifi is also confirmed to be an issue, but not the same bad level as the GPS.
rdalev
Android Enthusiast
flyjbaker
Android Expert
What is a BT GPS receiver? It transmit GPS data via BT?
How easily was the shell removed and were you able to get it back on without any adverse effects ?
The more I think about this its more apparent that ASUS was probably well aware of the issue before release. The eariler rumors of delays due to WiFi come to mind. I just watched a video of a side by side WiFi test of the Transformer and the Transformer Prime. The Prime did not do so well.
Not in an attempt to compare Apple products to the Prime but currenlty its all I have at the moment to compare.. All three Primes consistently get slower download rates than my iPhone and a borrowed iPad. This is testing from the same location. As the distance from the router is increased, the difference increases even more and the Prime starts to exhibit drop offs.
andygu3
Android Expert
Will an app like Tether GPS solve the Prime GPS issue ?
Have a Samsung Droid Charge , that has excellent gps capabilities, that I have on my person all the time and was just wondering if this app will solve the issue on the prime ?
Being rooted with the Evo 4G, tethered to the Prime and didn't see a huge difference but since the latest update, I have seen better locks with navigation while moving in the car. I wouldn't depend on it but I could get away with it considering I was able to see the route whereas before no route was seen without having a wifi connection.
I'm going to have to disagree with this assessment, as an owner and user of the Transformer Prime. Watching file download speeds as well as Speedtest.net, I get as good or better WiFi than I did on my iPad 1, and I'm on par with two laptops, one Sammy one HP. My router is in the basement and I can be the next floor up and on the other side of the house and my signal is as good as the iPad. I can also throw in my Epic 4G Touch as well. The Prime is just as good as these devices when it comes to WiFi. Netflix streams beautifully too.